NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler believes that halfback Nathan Cleary is an even 50/50 chance of playing in the decider on July 10th despite initial fears he could be out for at least a month.

After suffering an ankle injury in Game II last Sunday night, the Penrith playmaker was expected to miss Game III but now appears a decent chance of making a miraculous recovery to take the field in Sydney in less than a fortnight.

“I’ve spoken to their doctors and physios and Nathan is going to do everything possible to be right, and I think he’s about 50/50 at the moment,” he told Mark Levy and Mark Riddell.

“Obviously he won’t be playing this week when they travel to Auckland and he will be on the physio table, but the thing is you know that he’s fit.

“They are looking to start running him next Monday to try and get an idea of how free his ankle can get, we’re not quite sure the extent of how long the injury will take to recover but we will give him every chance because he’s a big part of this team.”

The Blues would have a plethora of options to replace him in the halves with Jack Wighton, Wade Graham and Mitchell Pearce all in the frame for selection alongside James Maloney in the halves for the decider.

Fittler praised his NSW side for a much-improved performance, and highlighted two of the stars who were absent in Game I at Suncorp for the change in fortunes in Perth.

“I thought Daniel Saifiti was outstanding, he really did a great job for us,” he said.

“I’m not sure Tommy (centre Tom Trbojevic) realised what number he had on his back and I’m glad he didn’t look in the mirror beforehand, he was fantastic and it’s just the feel he has for the game.

“He is just a footballer and those sort of instincts are built in from a very young age; he was very in tune on Sunday night.

The Blues the first game of the series 18-14 and many called for Cleary to be left out of the side, but a solid display in the first half of his side’s 38-6 win in Game II will save his spot if he is fit in time for the clash at ANZ Stadium in less than two weeks’ time.